en
Studia Iuridica

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC SPACE. REMARKS BASED ON THE LATEST CASE LAW OF SELECTED INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL COURTS CONCERNING RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS

2023, 96, No. 1

Jakub Sewerynik

0000-0001-6746-4860

Radca prawny

DOI

10.31338/2544-3135.si.2023-96.16

Publication date

07.07.2023

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Law

Discipline

law

Language of publication

English

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PDF 364 KB

Article

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Number of downloads:65

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Abstract

The author attempts to analyse selected rulings of the European courts concerning religious symbols in order to answer the question whether freedom of religion is still respected in Europe. The analysis is based on the reflection on the context of contemporary European cultural landscape: diversity of constitutional models of particular states, the concept of neutrality in the matter of religion, and the ability of contemporary political elites and judges to understand the sphere of the sacred (sacrum). The selection criteria for the rulings have been cases concerning objects related to practising religion: (i) the hijab – an Islamic headscarf, (ii) the burqa – a garment covering practically the entire body, and (iii) the crucifix hung on a classroom wall. The review brings up important questions about lack of tolerance, pluralism and acceptance of religious diversity in contemporary Europe, and ‘reasonable accommodation’ as a possible solution.

Keywords:

freedom of religion,tolerance,CJEU,ECtHR,crucifix,hijab,burqa

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